FAU Galleries-Guayasamín-Fall 08
Activity: Ekphrasis Grades K-12
Sunshine State Standards see page 2 & 3
Everyone knows, “a picture is worth a thousand words,” yet, there is a word that more succinctly sums up this phrase: ekphrasis (also ecphrasis), defined by Merriam Webster as a literary description of or commentary on a visual work of art. In ancient times, ekphrasis referred to a description of any means, person, experience or thing. The word comes from the Greek ek and phrasis, “out” and “speak,” respectively; verb ekphrazein signifies to proclaim or call an inanimate object by name.
Ecuadorian painter Oswaldo Guayasamín and Chilean poet Pablo Neruda had a friendship that extended across artistic lines. In the book America, My Brother, My Blood: A Latin American Song of Suffering and Resistance, ekphrasis comes to light, as Neruda interprets Guayasamín’s paintings through prose.
Visit Day Activity - Sentence Strips
- This activity should be done with a piece that the students can see easily, perhaps The Bull and the Condor or El Grito I-III.
Materials needed:
- strips of paper
- permanent markers (in different colors so students can see the various contributions to the ekphrasis-inspired piece)
- glue
- color picture of chosen artwork
Instructions:
- Place students in groups of three or four. Have them look at the work for two minutes and write down words that describe it.
- Have students pass their strips on to the next group and repeat the second part of step 1.
- After each group has written on all of the strips, gather all the strips and paste them onto a large sheet of paper.
- Paste a picture of the artwork that inspired the sentence strips underneath the completed textual interpretation of the piece.
- Have the class read their group’s sentences aloud (if time allows).
- Congratulations! The class or group now has a souvenir of their visit to the FAU University Galleries.
References:
Applicable Sunshine State Standards:
LA.5.4.2.1 - write in a variety of informational/expository forms.
LA.5.4.3.2 - include persuasive techniques.
LA.6.4.1.2 - write a variety of expressive forms that employ figurative language, rhythm, dialogue, characterization, and/or appropriate format.
LA.6.4.2.1 - write in a variety of informational/expository forms.
LA.6.4.3.2 - include persuasive techniques.
LA.7.4.1.2 - write a variety of expressive forms that according to the type of writing employed, incorporate figurative language, rhythm, dialogue, characterization, plot, and appropriate format.
LA.7.4.2.1 - Write in a variety of technical/informational forms.
LA.7.4.3.2 - include persuasive techniques.
LA.8.4.1.2 - write a variety of expressive forms that according to the type of writing employed, incorporate figurative language, rhythm, dialogue, characterization, plot, and appropriate format.
LA.8.4.2.1 - write in a variety of informational/expository forms.
LA.8.4.3.2 - include persuasive techniques.
LA.8.5.2.2 - use effective listening and speaking strategies for informal and formal discussions, connecting to and building on the ideas of a previous speaker and respecting the viewpoints of others when identifying bias or faulty logic.
LA.910.4.1.1 - write in a variety of expressive and reflective forms that use a range of appropriate strategies and specific narrative techniques, employ literary devices, and sensory description.
LA.910.4.1.2 - incorporate figurative language, emotions, gestures, rhythm, dialogue, characterization, plot, and appropriate format.
LA.910.4.3.2 - include persuasive techniques.
LA.1112.4.1.1 - write in a variety of expressive and reflective forms that uses a range of appropriate strategies and specific narrative techniques, employs literary devices, and sensory description.
LA.1112.4.1.2 - incorporate figurative language, emotions, gestures, rhythm, dialogue, characterization, plot, and appropriate format.
LA.1112.4.3.2 - include persuasive techniques.
VA.B.1.1 - The student creates and communicates a range of subject matter, symbols, and ideas using knowledge of structures and functions of visual arts.
VA.D.1.1 - The student assesses, evaluates, and responds to the characteristics of works of art.
VA.B.1.2 - The student creates and communicates a range of subject matter, symbols, and ideas using knowledge of structures and functions of visual arts.
VA.D.1.2 - The student assesses, evaluates, and responds to the characteristics of works of art.
VA.B.1.3 - The student creates and communicates a range of subject matter, symbols, and ideas using knowledge of structures and functions of visual arts.
VA.D.1.3 - The student assesses, evaluates, and responds to the characteristics of works of art.
VA.B.1.4 - The student creates and communicates a range of subject matter, symbols, and ideas using knowledge of structures and functions of visual arts.
VA.D.1.4 - The student assesses, evaluates, and responds to the characteristics of works of art.